How to Strikethrough in Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever needed to cross out text in a Google Doc? Strikethrough is a text format option that allows you to draw a line through the middle of text, indicating that it’s been completed or is no longer relevant. It’s super easy to do and can be achieved in a few simple steps.

Step by Step Tutorial: Strikethrough in Google Docs

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to note that strikethrough is a great way to visually show that something has been removed without actually deleting the text. This can be useful for collaborative documents where you want to show changes or for personal to-do lists.

Step 1: Highlight the Text

The first thing you need to do is highlight the text that you want to strikethrough.

Once you’ve highlighted the text, it will be surrounded by a blue box, indicating that it’s selected. This is important because the strikethrough will only be applied to the text that’s highlighted.

Step 2: Click the Format Menu

Next, click on the "Format" menu at the top of the Google Docs page.

The Format menu is where you’ll find all sorts of text formatting options, including bold, italic, underline, and yes, strikethrough.

Step 3: Select "Text"

In the Format menu, hover over "Text" to reveal a submenu.

The Text submenu has even more formatting options, including superscript, subscript, and text color.

Step 4: Choose "Strikethrough"

Finally, click on "Strikethrough" in the Text submenu.

As soon as you click Strikethrough, the highlighted text will have a line drawn through it, showing that it’s been struck out.

After you’ve completed these steps, the text you highlighted will now have a line through it, indicating that it’s been marked as strikethrough. You can always remove the strikethrough by following the same steps and clicking on Strikethrough again to toggle it off.

Tips for Strikethrough in Google Docs

  • If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, you can quickly apply strikethrough by pressing Alt + Shift + 5 on a PC or Command + Shift + X on a Mac.
  • Strikethrough can be combined with other text formatting options, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your documents.
  • If you’re collaborating on a document, using strikethrough can be a great way to suggest edits without permanently changing the text.
  • You can also apply strikethrough to entire paragraphs or multiple sections of text by highlighting more than just one word or sentence.
  • Remember that strikethrough is a visual indication, so make sure that your message is still clear to anyone reading the document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I strikethrough text in the Google Docs mobile app?

Yes, you can! The steps are slightly different, but you can still apply strikethrough in the mobile app by selecting the text, tapping the format icon (A with lines), and choosing strikethrough.

How do I remove strikethrough from text?

To remove strikethrough, simply follow the same steps you used to apply it and click on Strikethrough again to toggle it off.

Can I use a shortcut to apply strikethrough in Google Docs?

Absolutely! On a PC, you can use Alt + Shift + 5, and on a Mac, you can use Command + Shift + X.

Does strikethrough work in Google Sheets or Slides?

Yes, you can also use strikethrough in Google Sheets and Slides using similar steps.

Can I strikethrough multiple sections of text at once?

Definitely! Just highlight all the sections you want to strikethrough before clicking on the Format menu.

Summary

  1. Highlight the text you want to strikethrough.
  2. Click the Format menu.
  3. Hover over Text.
  4. Click on Strikethrough.

Conclusion

Strikethrough in Google Docs is a handy formatting tool that can be used for various purposes, from showing completed tasks on a list to suggesting edits in a collaborative document. With the easy-to-follow steps outlined in this article, you can quickly apply or remove strikethrough formatting to your text. Remember to take advantage of the keyboard shortcuts for a faster workflow and don’t hesitate to combine strikethrough with other formatting options for a more dynamic document. Whether you’re working on personal projects or professional documents, mastering the use of strikethrough will definitely enhance your Google Docs experience. Happy editing!